Bargaining

VANCOUVER—Cost of living pressures and health and safety were among key issues raised today by Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 during Day 1 contract negotiations with Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC). The two union locals negotiate on a joint bargaining committee.

“Transit workers deserve improved wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity to do their jobs without constant surveillance or unrealistic scheduling pressures,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

THUNDER BAY-Unifor is urging Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper to take every measure to mitigate job loss following the company’s announcement that it will cease newsprint operations by the end of the first quarter, potentially impacting more than a hundred jobs. 

TORONTO—Unifor opened collective bargaining today with Air Canada on behalf of customer service agents, who work at airports, call centres, and provide services such as customer relations and customer journey management, across the country.

“Air Canada’s customer service agents are the backbone of the passenger experience,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President.

TORONTO/MONTREAL – Unifor members in the Bell Clerical bargaining units have ratified a new four-year collective agreement with Bell. The contract, effective December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2029, delivers wage increases, enhanced job protection, telework provisions, and a new oversight model to manage the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.

The 74 workers at furniture maker Van Gogh Designs in Surrey, B.C., have voted to join Unifor to fight for better working conditions. 

“Welcome to Unifor—we’re thrilled to be in your corner,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We’re looking forward to bargaining your first collective agreement and building worker power with your solidarity.”

The new members at Local 433 work in production including sewing, cutting, cushion, upholstery, wrapping, inventory, framing, and quality checking with additional members performing duties in the office.

LONDON— Unifor has been notified that Autoneum will gradually wind down and close its London, Ontario facility over the course of 2026. The decision is a devastating blow for Unifor members, their families, and the wider London and regional economies that depend on good union jobs in the auto parts supply chain.

ST. JOHN’S—Unifor is concerned following Loblaw’s decision to close a St. John’s Dominion store effective May 8, a move that will impact approximately 100 unionized grocery workers.

The affected Unifor members were informed of the closure on January 19. 

Unifor Local 597 represents more than 1,600 Dominion grocery workers at 11 stores across the province. Under their collective agreement, members have severance rights based on their seniority. 

Workers at Northeast Nutrition—a federally regulated feed mill in Truro, N.S., which produces fish food—has ratified a new three-year agreement at 82% with their employer.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for getting our fishery food production members in the East Coast a fair deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

“It was the first time at the table for several members of the bargaining committee, and they all did a tremendous job.”

The biggest gain of this contract is a wage increase over the life of the contract.

Unifor is calling on the Quebec and federal governments to take immediate action to prevent irreversible damage to the F.F. Soucy mill and preserve any chance of a future restart.

RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP — Following the bankruptcy of F.F. Soucy, Unifor is urging both levels of government to intervene without delay to ensure the mill remains heated and powered, and that skilled workers are retained to safely operate and maintain critical equipment.

Members of Unifor Local 4600 have ratified a new collective agreement with significant increases to shift and weekend premiums, overtime provisions, wages, as well as the option to join a defined benefit pension plan.